​The priorities and questions emerge from a survey of the MKO First Nations that was conducted in December, 2015 to assist in effectively framing the dialogue between the 30 First Nations affiliated with the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, Inc. (MKO) and governments, including the Province of Manitoba and the recently elected federal government.

Additional questions have been included to reflect additional issues of importance to the MKO First Nations.

MKO has requested that each Party forward the attached survey of key MKO election priorities to each candidate for their information, consideration and response. MKO has also requested that each Party provide MKO with an email contact list of each Party's candidates to facilitate MKO directly forwarding the attached survey of Key Election Priorities to each candidate.

MKO has requested that the responses to as many questions as possible be provided by 5:00pm, Wednesday, April 13, 2016. MKO has also requested that each Party and candidate please continue to provide additional responses as they became available. MKO committed to post all responses on the new MKO website at www.mkonation.com.

Many of the priorities of the MKO First Nations reflect the theme that First Nation citizens in the province should have access to services and infrastructure that are at least comparable to those available to all other Manitoba residents, including those First Nation citizens who live in remote First Nation communities.

A second theme is that honouring the Treaties and reconciling the original Indigenous title to the lands now encompassed within the present-day political boundaries of the Province of Manitoba must include means to equitably share with the MKO First Nations the benefits and revenues of resource developments within ancestral lands and traditional territories.

The responses to the MKO Key Priorities Election Survey in the order and times received are as follows:

1. New Democratic Party: Received on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at 12:55 pm CDT.

2. Green Party Candidate for Minto: Received on Sunday, April 17, 2016 at 4:49 pm CDT